NDIS Functional Capacity Assessments

What You Might Need to Know About Functional Capacity Assessments:

Two Sense Therapy and Functional Capacity Assessments?

Two Sense Therapy provides comprehensive FCA to assist participants with identifying and documenting appropriate funding in their plans. Each assessment is different depending on the participant’s requirements and needs are, however, functional capacity assessments will include recommendations for capacity building and/or daily living supports. Within this assessment, an Occupational Therapist (OT) will outline core support and care needs which will be determined through the participant’s evaluation process of self-care and general day-to-day activities.

What is the process to have a Functional Capacity Assessment completed?

One of our occupational therapists will come out to complete either a one-hour session or two one-hour sessions with the participant and any other stakeholders that may be required to attend. Throughout this appointment the OT will look to explore the following areas:

• Daily Living: This can include questions regarding personal hygiene (showing, toileting, dresses etc), sleeping patterns, and nutrition, Additionally they will review if there are challenges in these areas impacting your ability to complete each task.

• Household Management: This area will include questions regarding meal preparation, shopping (grocery, picking up perceptions etc), household chores (cleaning, laundry etc), and management of household funds (incoming bills, household funds)

• Community Access: This area will focus on your abilities to access your community individually, with family/friends or with support workers. These questions will look into attending medical appointments, going to the bank, shopping for clothing and how you might access these eg driving, public transport, and supported transport access.

• Recreational & Social: This can include exercise, day programs, hobbies (art, music, etc), being with friends/family and your abilities to engage or how this may be impacted. Additionally, if you would like to be more engaged within the community and what this may look like.

In some cases the OT will request that a secondary session is booked to observe the participants in a different environment (eg. at local shops or at a day program). Once the appointment has been completed the OT will write a report that directly relates to your needs, requirements and goals in mind and highlights areas that may require more funding or reviewing. Once completed this report will be sent to either the participant or the Support Coordinator for review and submission to the NDIS.

A few additional items to keep in mind:

• You will require about 10-12hrs of funding to be available for a functional capacity assessment to take place

• Usually, these assessments are completed around the same time as a plan review, however, we recommend getting in contact with your OT 2-3 months prior to ensure they have enough time for the appointment to complete your report.

• You should always read or have someone that knows you well and can trust to read your report to ensure it reflects your abilities accurately.